Monthly Archives: October 2013

Don’t you love waking up from a good dream. For me, it just sets the stage for a great day.

But how about those mornings you wake up from a confusing dream? Sometimes I lie in bed for a few minutes after I wake up wondering what in the world my dream meant and how it relates to what’s going on in my life.

That’s what’s happening with the chief butler and baker — they’re confused by their dreams. And today we’re going to hear the chief butler’s dream and Joseph is going to interpret it.

Then the butler gets a little extra from Joseph.

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Here’s the story . . .

Genesis 40:9-15 / Amplified Bible (AMP)

9 And the chief butler told his dream to Joseph and said to him, In my dream I saw a vine before me,

10 And on the vine were three branches. Then it was as though it budded; its blossoms burst forth and the clusters of them brought forth ripe grapes [almost all at once].

11 And Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand, and I took the grapes and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup; then I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.

12 And Joseph said to him, This is the interpretation of it: The three branches are three days.

13 Within three days Pharaoh will lift up your head and restore you to your position, and you will again put Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, as when you were his butler.

14 But think of me when it shall be well with you and show kindness, I beg of you, to me, and mention me to Pharaoh and get me out of this house.

15 For truly I was carried away from the land of the Hebrews by unlawful force, and here too I have done nothing for which they should put me into the dungeon.

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So the chief butler’s dream had a good interpretation. He was going to be restored to his position. Within 3 days he would be back serving Pharaoah his drinks. I know he was relieved!

But then Joseph tacks on his request for a favor. Joseph knows that his own personal destiny is not in this prison. The dreams God gave him early in his life showed him in a much more elevated position. And personally I think he’s tired of waiting. I know I would be.

Between his time as a slave in Potiphar’s house and his time so far in the dungeon as a prisoner, he’s been in Egypt for 11 years. Away from his family. Away from his homeland. Serving as a slave in a foreign country. Serving a sentence for a crime he didn’t commit.

And away from anyone else who worships the God of Abraham.

And I think Joseph sees the chief butler as a connection he could use to get out. To get Pharoah’s attention and let him know he’s innocent of the crime he’s imprisoned for. And that he wasn’t in this country lawfully to begin with.

And who knows, maybe God showed Joseph in a dream that the chief butler was going to be his way out. And Joseph is just trying to help God along.

Whatever his reason, we learn a few verses down that his tactic doesn’t work. And he’s stuck in the dungeon another 2 years.

Hey, it was worth a try. I’m sure I would have done the same thing.

Here are the truths I found:

– Dreams can be important and can prepare us for our future.

– There are believers who are gifted at interpreting dreams.

– Sometimes we want payback or a favor from people when we use the gifts God has given us to help them.

– It’s hard to let go of our resentment, especially when we’ve been bullied, mistreated, betrayed, or punished for something we didn’t do.

Application Questions:

– What dreams have I had that prepared me for something?

– Who do I know who can interpret dreams?

– When have I shared one of my gifts with someone and then asked for a favor in return?

– When have I shared one of my gifts with someone and not expected anything in return?

– What was the difference in how I felt and in the final outcome?

– What resentment for past mistreatment am I still carrying? How is it affecting me? My relationships?